Overview
This subspecies of argali has both the largest body size and horn mass of all wild sheep. Coat tends to be light brown with a gray tinge in the winter. Rump patch, belly, lower legs, and face are white. Their summer coat is much shorter and lighter, with the upper parts a uniformly speckled brown and white, and the rump patch only slightly lighter than the back. This subspecies does not grow a neck ruff and they have relatively long legs. The horns have rounded frontal edges, are heavily corrugated, and when fully developed, will form more than a complete curl. Females are considerably smaller, sometimes weighing less than half as much as males.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Bovidae
- Genus
- Ovis
- Species
- Argali, ammon
Habitat
Argali inhabit high altitude regions. Habitat varies according to geographic location, and includes mountains, steppe valleys, rocky outcrops and open desert.
Diet
Argali eat 35-42 lbs (16–19 kg) of food a day. The vegetation preferred by the species varies based on elevation and area. In higher elevations, they predominantly eat grasses, sedges, and forbs. At mid-elevation habitats, they more regularly feed on bushes and mesophyte grasses. In the lowest ranges and the spurs of deserts, grasses and sedges again predominate, but often of different species than at higher elevations. Water is needed by argali, which is rarely a problem for animals living at high elevation, where snow melt and small waterways are regularly encountered. In drier climateses, argali may travel several kilometers daily in search of water. Argali will readily consume saline soil when available.
Behavior
Argali live in herds typically numbering between 2-150 animals, segregated by sex, except during the breeding season. Most populations show large numbers of adult females, constituting more than half of a local population, against around 20% adult males and a further 20% young argali. Some rams are solitary, but most are seen in small herds numbering between 3-30 individuals. Females and their young live in larger groups, regularly up to 92 individuals and sometimes up to 200 animals. Migrating herds, especially males, have been reported. Most migration appears to be related to seasonally decreased food sources, an overabundance of biting insects (especially gadflies), severe drought or fires, poaching by humans, and large numbers of domestic livestock may also trigger movements. With their long legs, herds can travel quickly from place to place. Argali tend to live at higher elevations during the summer. These sheep are very calm and non aggressive towards each other, and are very social animals. Members of a herd will follow one another, and an individual sheep will often seek contact with other sheep. A strategy of safety in numbers is common of all the worlds’ sheep.
Hunting
A significant advantage is a familiarity with handling a horse. Local horses are easy to handle and well adapted to high altitudes. Travel on horseback enables one to cover longer distances, with less physical pain, in search of the perfect ram.
Conservation Status
Classified as Vulnerable by IUCN. More information is needed regarding current conservation efforts and the best way forward for future conservation of the species.